Hen help! Please. I only own one hen.

This will be my second (single) hen I've owned. I'm not quiet sure of her breed, or age. We bought her at the market. The guy we bought her from didn't seem to know much about her either. Maybe a Rhode Island Red. Here lately she's been staying in her coop and won't come out also has taking a break from laying eggs. She is free range. Is there a reason why hens do this kind of thing? I'm worried she maybe sick, or dying. Has anyone else experienced this problem? She stays well hydrated and fed.
Please help.
Thank you - Erica

can you provide more information? How long have you had her? have you checked her belly to see if it feels swollen, and checked near her vent to see if you can feel an impacted egg?

also, people generally recommend against having a single hand, because chickens are social creatures and they can get quite depressed if they are alone.

Sorry, I meant hen not hand - couldn't edit for some reason.

We Have had her almost 2 years. I'm not sure how long the person that had her he told me she was a year old when we got her. This will make her 2. I will feel her belly if she lets me. I've never seen her depressed. She's always been a happy hen. (She acts like a dog) she will follow us around. She knows her name. Etc.. I'm outside with her 80% of the day at least.

All Ball-
We also think that she might be molting? (If I said that right). I checked her and there's no swelling or anything.

Sorry, just getting back to this after a busy work week! Apologies for delay.

This is kind of an early time to molt, but if you are seeing feathers around, more so than usual, that would explain not laying. Also they may stop laying from any kind of stress, such as a lot heat. But it's the staying in the coop that's weird. They do get quiet and low energy sometimes when molting. So there are no indications other than that that she is sick - is she fluffed up? droopy? Those are bad signs. Also check her poop and there's links to a great poop analysis page if you search here. Check her crop (yes, you'll need to do that by hand so you'll have to make her let you) to make sure it isn't really hard, as in impacted, or really squishy. But you said she is eating and drinking fine....

If you've had her 2 years you would have seen her go through a molt before and it sounds like she didn't act that way. I'm not much of an expert; I just had a hen with internal laying so I know about that. if you can watch and record any other signs, maybe someone else can provide more help. A week later, it should be more clear if she is in a molt and that might help you determine. You can also give her electrolytes if you like; I understand they perk up with that. I will tend to put ACV in their water and give yogurt with chopped garlic to support their immune system, and that can be good during a molt or when they seem out of sorts. I am more of the organic-only type and other people can tell you a lot more about meds.

Thank you SO much! This is greatly appreciated! She's is molting. Feathers are everywhere. So is the poop. It looks normal. Her diet is good but, she rarely comes out. Thank you again All Ball!

I had a leghorn go through a hard molt last winter. Hers was in November. I did change the feed to Nutrena Feather Fixer and she seemed to feel better while on that feed.

Your hen is getting older and molting from what I have seen gets harder with age. You can also supplement with canned fish like Mackrel or Tuna. Extra protein and the bones in the Mackrel are a good thing. It takes a LOT of energy to grow feathers.

A few people around me have been seeing an early molt this year. Not sure where you are located but that can happen when the weather starts to cool off and we had a week that was way below normal for here.

Yes, that extra protein is a good idea!

OK, Erica S., sounds good - you've got a molt! Hope she weathers it well.

Thank you! I do too. She's starting to come around and come out and about more.